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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

HOUSTON -- Top 49ers free-agent acquisition Brandon Jones is among the players inactive for San Francisco against the Texans in Week 7.

Fellow receivers Jason Hill and Micheal Spurlock are also on the inactive list.

It is Michael Crabtree's time, in other words. Crabtree, Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan and Arnaz Battle are the receivers for the 49ers.

Also inactive for the 49ers: offensive lineman Cody Wallace, defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois, safety Reggie Smith, safety Michael Lewis and quarterback Nate Davis, who did not make the trip.

Inactive for the Texans: safety Nick Ferguson, receiver Glenn Martinez, cornerback Fred Bennett, linebacker Jamie Winborn, guard Tutan Reyes, tight end Anthony Hill and defensive tackle Frank Okam. Dan Orlovsky is the third quarterback.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Texans are keeping five defensive ends and nine defensive backs active against the Cardinals, presumably because they expect Arizona to pass the ball frequently.

It's a logical move given the Cardinals' known style and one more reason Arizona should try to get Beanie Wells going on the ground.

Houston named defensive tackles DelJuan Robinson and Frank Okam among its inactive players. Also inactive: Glenn Martinez, Nick Ferguson, Antwaun Molden, Antoine Caldwell and Anthony Hill. Dan Orlovsky is the third quarterback.

Draft Rd. Pick Graves' Team Tight end College Conference 1993 3 61 Bears Chris Gedney Syracuse Big East 2006 3 72 Cardinals Leonard Pope Georgia SEC 1988 4 105 Bears Jim Thornton Fullerton St. -- 1998 5 125 Cardinals Terry Hardy S.Mississippi C-USA 1992 5 134 Bears Todd Harrison N.C. St. ACC 2000 5 164 Cardinals Jay Tant Northwestern Big Ten 2007 7 215 Cardinals Ben Patrick Delaware CAA (I-AA) 2002 7 223 Cardinals Mike Banks Iowa St. Big 12 2001 7 246 Cardinals Tevita Ofahengaue BYU Mtn. West 1984 10 266 Bears Kurt Vestman Idaho WAC 1989 10 270 Bears Todd Millikan Nebraska Big 12

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Cardinals could use a tight end versatile enough to stay on the field across running and passing situations. They settled on Stephen Spach as a blocking tight end last season.

Spach made an important catch against the Falcons in the wild-card playoff round, but he isn't a consistent downfield threat in the passing game -- particularly after suffering a torn knee ligament against the Panthers.

As much as the Cardinals could use a frontline tight end, I'm not sure they can afford to draft one early enough to find such a player. I see them targeting running back and outside linebacker in the first two rounds if the draft falls their way. If the Cardinals do wind up trading Anquan Boldin to Baltimore, perhaps they can get the Ravens to throw in Todd Heap. A thought.

Cardinals general manager Rod Graves' teams generally haven't drafted tight ends early, anyway, and never higher than 72nd overall since Graves joined the Cardinals.

I spoke with Steve Muench of Scouts Inc. for additional perspective on the Cardinals' options at tight end in this draft. A few of his thoughts:

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